Earnest opens the briefing by quickly getting down to the business
of taking questions from the reporters. He calls them by name
frequently throughout the hour and a half long briefing and
recognizes when they have not been in attendance recently by
welcoming them back. Making a point to know reporters is mentioned
in the Meise reading. While it is clear Earnest has written
materials on the lectern in front of him, he manages to keep his
glances to a minimum and spends time looking at reporters,
addressing them, and smiling. At one point in the briefing he
laughs along with reporters which reflects a collegial atmosphere
in the room.
Earnest
understands what reporters need and uses a systematic approach and
offers facts to specific problems (Lindemann, 2006, p. 2). In
doing so he builds a symbiotic relationship in the briefing room.
He simply does not answer yes or no, but gives enough fulsome
information that the reporters are able to craft a story out of
what he says and perhaps approach those stories from different
perspectives by asking intelligent questions for follow-up.
Earnest helps the reporters by giving enough information so they
can ask those intelligent questions. He rephrases questions from
the reporters, which allows both for him to spin the information
the way he wants and also allows for the reporter to see if
Earnest really understands what is being asked. Earnest is also
honest and says he “doesn’t know” and that he will “get back” to
reporters with more information. Fitch and Holt (2012) mention
this should be noted by a member of the staff so that information
does indeed get to the person who requested it (p. 36). We have no
record if this occurs in White House briefings, but I can imagine
we would know if it was not a regularly occurring event.
Earnest spoke at a good pace and directly, so that the
reporters should be able to follow what he said. He did not rush
at any point in the conference. His tone is even and modulated
throughout; giving the impression of someone who is calmly in
charge and knows what is going on. His volume is consistent all
the way through the briefing. He does not raise his voice and
neither does he lower it if he is getting tired. At all times the
reporters are able to hear his words. He does not appear to have
issues with articulation. He uses his left hand to emphasize
certain points of policy. It is enough of a movement to focus
attention to Earnest and the emotion he is wishing to convey, but
small enough of a movement so that it does not feel intimidating
or threatening, or out of control.
While
there are places where Earnest uses the first person “I” it is
clear that when he speaks he is conveying policy from the Obama
administration. He keeps this in mind and it is easy for his
audience to understand this also and there is no confusion.
Earnest also listens well (Solis & Breakenridge, 2012, p. 75).
He generally seems to understand what the reporter is asking
without much need for clarification and Earnest does not “step” on
the words or questions of the reporters.
Earnest
did a professional job at the briefing. If I were to change one
thing it might be to have him work on reducing the noise of some
of his vocalized pauses, the “uhm”s that he uses sometimes when
thinking. The problem with this suggestion is that almost everyone
uses vocalized pauses and they can be tricky to get rid of. They
are used to fill in gaps when we think and when they are removed
it can give the impression of having material memorized.The
vocalized pauses also contribute to giving Earnest a “human”
factor. Sometimes it can be difficult to believe or trust people
that just “too” perfect and removing all vocalized pauses from
one’s speech could have that effect.
Lindemann, W.K. (2006). Public relations research for planning and evaluation. Institute for Public Relations.
Solis, B., & Breakenridge, D. (2009). Putting the public back in public relations: How social media is reinventing the aging business of PR. Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
White House Press Briefing. (March 14, 2016). Retrieved from: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/03/14/press-briefing-press-secretary-josh-earnest-3142016.
